There were 2 reasons why Truman decided to drop the Bomb on Japan.
1. If the USA had invaded the home islands there were going to be an estimated 1,000,000 US casualities.
2. Truman wanted to show the Russians what we had and weren't afraid to use it.
The Planes of Fame Museum in Chino CA, has planes that are operational that no one else has. Including one of the only operational Zeros, they have a Val Dive Bomber, Oka flying Bomb, an ME 262 and ME 163. Plus Charles Nussengers Nieport fighter. They also have an operational B-17 and B-25.
I had 2 friends that flew in the ETO during WW2, one had 10 missions in a B-24 and the other flew a P-51 in the same Group as Chuck Yeager. Both are passed away now.
If any of you remember the movie Dr. Stranglove the scenes of flying over the ice were done with a B-17. If you look closely you can see the shadow of the B-17 in the film, vs the B-52 that it is supposed to be. The B-17 was one of the BEST planes ever built. Totally a remarkable plane.
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